Four new or expanded passenger rail routes in Ohio are being studied

Advocates for passenger rail in Ohio say we're not talking enough about it.

With the right support, Ohioans could hop on a train from Columbus by the early 2030s, said John Esterly, executive director of All Aboard Ohio, a nonprofit that advocates for public transportation and passenger rail.

But that won't happen without buy-in from Republican lawmakers wary of a hefty price tag and leadership from the Ohio Rail Development Commission , which focused more on moving freight than moving people in its latest State Rail Plan, Esterly said.